Sound resonating device



Marh 1, 1932. v c. A. v oLF, JR 1,847,283-

SOUND RESONATING DEVICE March 1, 1932. Y Q A, VOLF` JR 1,847,283

SOUND RESONATING DEVICE `v March l, 1932. C "A, VOLF, JR 1,847,283

SOUND RESONATING DEVICE Filed Feb. 18, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 1, 1932. 1 C, A4 VQLFy 1R 1,847,283

SOUND RESONATING DEVICE Filed F'eb. 18, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 62 lll ,55 lll gwuentoc Patented 1,v 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE" CHRISTIAN A. VOLF, JR., F WEEHA'WKhEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO MURRAY T. QUIGG, OF NEW- YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK SOUND RESONATING DEVICE Application led February 18, 1929. Serial No. 340,928.

This invention is a resonator and sound` distributor, particularly designed to resonate and distribute sound waves without setting up distortion in the resonatin'g device. It is adapted for the resonation of the entire range of sound frequencies which may be produced cover a suiiicient range of frequencies and/or fail to amplify all frequencies, and in any case they Jfail to distribute the sound evenly.

The apparatus of this invention is designed so as to permit the use of one or more of the customary devices for setting up sound frequencies, thereby covering a wide range of such frequencies and resonating such frequencies Without distortion so that orchestral music and the human voice, whether speaking or singing, is vheard clearly throughout a lar e chamber without distortion.

ore specifically the inventionl comprises one or more sound reproducing devices which project sound over and into a plurality of cylindrical resonating pipes of different lengths and diameters, hereinafter termed resonators, so that sound waves of certain lengths will be'resonated by the resonator L which is in unison therewith. l These resonators may be mounted within a lsuitable casing. The sound Waves so resonatedv are discharged from the resonators upon the surface of a liquid and are carried to reflecting angles at the margin of the liquid and discharged in the direction or directions desired.

The sound reproducing unit or units may be mounted within the casing on a suitable baflie board, or may be mounted on top of the casing.

The number of resonators may be as high as or 60. Y These resonators may be firmly mounted in a single pipe board or they may be grouped into Aunits according to octave lor diameter4 and s0 firmly mounted on a p 1urality of. boards suspended from the balile board or casing top and/or bracketed to the casing sides.

The series of'resonators may be used with 4 a plurality of sound reproducing units in connection with any other form of sound resonator, e. g., one ofthe `units may play a horn, as in Fig. 1in the accompanying drawings, 'when the proper amplilication is not available for the other types of units.

It is advantageous in any case and necessary in case the baffle board is .suspended within the casing, to provide Ventilating openings in the top of the casing, as will bev described. 7

The invention will now be described in more detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings illustrating several em bodiments of the invention. It should be, however, understood that these disclosures 70 are purely illustrative and that the inventive thoughts involved mayV be carried out in other ways as falling within the scope of the claims.r

In these drawings:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of one formof the invention;

Figures la and 1b are views of details;

Figures 2 and 3 are sectional views respectively, on the lines 2 2 and 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top view and Figure 5 is a sectional view of modification;

igure 6 is a sectional view of another form, an

Figure 7 is a section on the line '1 -7 of Fi re 6.

ferring now to these drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts, the casing of the sound resonating device comprises side walls 5, the Walls preferably being double, comprising inner sheets 6- `of celotex, beaver board or the like and an outer sheet 7 of ply wood or the like, with an air space 8 therebetween. This construction acts as a sound insulator. The to 9 of the casing may be similarly constructe or it may be solid. The casinA is suspended by'chains- 10 from the ceiling y means of eye bolts 12 passing through the top of the casing, the nuts 13 of the bolts bearing against qblocks y1,4 10,

l which are insulated from the top of the box by pads 15 of felt or the like.

Suspended within the casino* by means of chains 16 and bolts 17 is a baille board 18 on which is mounted a plurality of sound reproducing units 19, 20 and 21. These sound reproducing units are the usual electro-magnetic units used in this art and while the best type of reproducing units is desirable, this invention is not concerned with thevdetails of these several units. The number of such sound reproducing units used is optional.

Sound reproducing unit 19 has a small cone 22 which opens over a hole 23 in the baffle board and so projects its sound waves downwardly through this hole. Similarly sound reproducing unit 21 has a cone 24 mounted over a hole 25 through the bafile board so that it projects its sound waves downwardly.

The central sound reproducing unit 2O is connected with a sound amplifying horn 26, of very considerable length, as shown.

Suspended from and belovT the baffle board 18 is a pipe board 27, made preferably of laminated ply wood, the suspension being effected by chains 28 and bolts 29 and 30.

rlhe pipe board 27 carries a plurality of open-ended resonating pipes 32, which vary in length and vary in diameter so as to have different sound resonating characteristics. The resonators are preferably mounted in the board 27 by means of short horizontal cleats 33 and pins 34 passing through the cleats in the resonators. The holes 35 in the pipe board 27 for the resonators are a little larger than the resonators, in order eo provide for contraction and expansion due to changes in atmospheric conditions.

As shown in Figure 1, some of the resonators, as 32', have their ends projecting a substantial distance above the pipe board, while others are nearly flush with the pipe board. The ends could be flush with the pipe board, if desired.

It has been found that the sound resonating characteristics of the apparatus are improved by suspending the baffle board 18 and the pipe board 27 within the easing, rather than securing these boards to the sides of the casing. The space at the ends of these boards, between such ends and the side walls of the casing seems to give better results, probably due to a freer circulation of air and better ventilation.

The sound resonating characteristics of the apparatus are also improved by providing in the top of the casing a number of holes, as at 3G, and providing small outwardly directed hoods 37 over these holes. A larger hole 38 may be provided in the center of the top of B0 the casing -which has a larger hood 39 connected with it, for giving a -freer circulation of air within the box.

Mounted below the casing and below the resonators 82 and horn 26 is an open-topped liquid container 40 which is preferably not connected to the box or casing but is suspended by separate chains', cables or supports 41 and 42 from the ceiling or other suitable place. The sides of this container may be any shape, e. g., square, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, etc., in-aceordance with the shape of the chamber or hall in which the device is to be used. The side vwalls 43 of this container slope downwardly and inwardly and may be adjustable in any desired Way so that the angle of the slope may be changed, although satisfactory results have been attained with fixed side walls. The side walls 43 may be pivoted at 44, the joint being covered by a rubber seal 45. The adjustment may be effected by providing each wall with cooperating brackets 46, provided with apertures 46', adapted to receive a through pin 47. The brackets are pivoted at 46a to feet 4Gb riveted to the sides of the container 40. The corners of the container would, of course, be flexibly eHect-ed by making them of rubber 48. By this means the sound waves may be discharged directly toward the most. distant points in the chamber, thus filling the chamber before colliding with thewalls.

In operation, the sound waves from the reproducing units 19 and 2l are projected into the resonators, different resonators resonating their respective types of sound waves to which they respond most readily, the waves thus resonated being projected downwardly onto the surface 49 of the liquid in the container 40.

The `liquid used is preferably water, with a film of glycerine, oil or the like on it to prevent evaporation. Other liquids could be used. The sound waves from thehorn 26 are similarly projected onto the surface of the liquid, this liquid surface acting to spread the sound waves evenly in all directions without distortion, to different parts of the auditorium or hall in which the device is used.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the sound reproducing unitsv 50, 51 and 52, instead of being mounted on a baffle board within the. casing, are mounted in the top 53' of the casing, the sound waves from the several reproducing units being projected downwardly through cones 54 into the open ends of resonators 55 mounted in the pipe board56 suspended from the top of the casing by chains 57. The resonators 55 project their sound waves onto the surface of a iquid, not shown, just as in Fig. 1.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, in which the casing is used as a baffle, the casing is constructed of heavy plywood 58 withoutvan inner wall or lining. The top may be similarly constructed. In this form of the invention, the resonators, instead of being mounted in a single pipe board, are segregated into groups, each group being mounted separately and suspended from the top of the casing and/or bracketed to the walls of the casing. In Figs. 6 and 7, there are shown five of these sets of resonators, mounted respectively in four smaller pipe boards or carriers 61, 62, 63 and 64 arranged in airs, and in a central circula-r pipe board 65. ach of the carriers61 to 65 is separately suspended from the top 9 of the casing by stirrups and chains 66 and 67. The resonators carried by the carriers 61 to 65, indicated generally at R, may vary in length and diameter, as shown. The number of resonators in any given unit may be varied, and may Vary from about 8 to 13 or 14. Preferablythe resonators in any given unit, as 61, 62, etc., have a range of about one octave. lThe resonators of Figs. 6 and 7 may be mounted in their respective boards substantially as shown in Fig. 1a, but as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the resonating pipes are held between parallel pairs of boards, as shown, and the resonating pipes being Vsecured to the boards by pins or bolts 60. The central pipe board 65 may carry a larger central' pipe 70.

Ventilating holes 36 and hoods 37 may be provided in the top of the casing of Fig. 6. rlhe center pipe board 65 has a number of smaller holes 69 in it, resonators of suitable size being mounted in all of these holes.

As shown in Fig. 6, the sound reproducing means may consist of one or more sound reproducing units 72 mounted in the top of the casing, having a cone 7f3 opening over a hole 74 in the top of the casing, so that the sound waves from this cone will be discharged over and into the open ends of theseveral resonators.

The sound Awaves from the resonators in Figs. 6 and 7 will be projected onto the surface of the liquid, (not shown) exactly as in Fig. 1, the liquid container being separately suspended from the ceiling orother suitable point by supporting member 41.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described in some detail, it should be understood` that the invention is not to be limited to these precise disclosures, and that features shown in one form may be used with other forms of the invention. The invention may be carried out in other waysthan as shown, asfalling within the scope of the claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A sound resonating device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid, resonating pipes above the liquid container, anda plural1ty of sound generating means above the resonating pipes, the sound waves from the sound generating means irst passing through the resonating pipes and then being projected bythem onto the surface of the liquid.

2. A sound resonating device comprisingin combination an open-topped container for a liquid, resonating pipes above the liquid container, a sounding board for supporting the resonating pipes, and sound generatin means above the resonating pipes, the sounc waves from the sound generating means first passing throu h the resonating pipes and then being projectedby them onto thesurface of the liquid, the intake ends of the several passing through the resonating pipes and then being projected by them onto the surface of the liquid.

4. A sound resonating device comprising in combination an open-topped container for a liquid, resonating pipes above the liquid container, the pipes being of dilerent size and directed directly toward the open-topped container, the intake ends of the resonating pipes being positioned at different levels, and sound generating means above the resonating pipes, the sound waves from the sound generating means first passing through' the resonating pipes and then being projected by them onto'the surfaces of the liquid.

5. A sound resonating device comprising in combination asounding board, a plurality of resonating pipes passing through the board and supported by it, a plurality of sound generating means for directing sound waves into the resonating pipes.

6. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, pipe carrying means suspended Within the casing, a plurality of open-ended resonating pipes carried by the `p1pe carrying means, the upper or intake ends of the pipes being positioned at different leve1sa.nd sound reproducing means above the pipes for directlng sound waves down wardly into the open ends of the pipes.

7 A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, pipe carrying means suspended within the caslfig, a plurality of open-ended`resonating pipes carried by the msl .plpe carrying means, a plurality of sound reproducing means above the pipes for directing sound waves downwardly into the open-j ends of the pipes', and means -positioned below lthe lower ends of the pipes for spreading the downwardly-travelling sound waves emanating from the lower ends of the pipes.

8. A sound resonating device comprisingin combinationa casing, pipe, carrying; lmeans suspended within the casing, afplurajlitylo u open-ended resonating pipes carried by the pipe carrying means, the upper or intake ends of the pipes being positioned at various levels, sound reproducing means above the pipes for directing sound waves downwardlyinto the open ends of the pipes, and an open-topped liquid container positioned below the lower ends of'the pipes for spreading the sound waves projecting thereon from the pipes.

9. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, pipe carrying means suspended within the casing, a plurality of open-ended resonating pipes carried by the pipe carrying means, sound reproducing means above the pipes for directing sound Waves downwardly into the open ends of the pipes, means ositioned below the lower ends of the pipes or spreading the downwardlytravelling sound waves emanating from the lower ends of the pipes, and means for mounting the sound spreading means independently of the casing.

10. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, pipe carrying means suspended within the casing, a plurality of open-ended resonating pipes carried by the plpe carrying means, sound reproducing means above the pipes for directing sound waves downwardly into the open ends of the pipes, an open-topped liquid container positioned below the lower ends of the ipesor spreading the sound waves projecte thereon from the pipes, and means independent of the casing, for suspending the open-topped liquid container.

11. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing; .a baille board and pipe carrying means positioned within the casing; open-ended pipes carried by the pipe carrying means; and a plurality of sound generating means carried by the baille board, for projecting sound waves into the open ends of the pipes. Y.

12. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing; a bale board and pipe carrying means flexibly suspended within the casing; open-ended pipes carried by the pipe carrying means; sound generating means carried by the baille board, for projecting sound waves into the open ends of the pipes, and means positioned below the lower end of the pipes for spreading the sound waves emanating from the lower ends i of the pipes.

13. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing; a baffle board and pipe carrying means positioned within the casing; open-ended pipes carried by the pipe carrying means, the upper or intake ends of f the pipes being positioned at different levels, a plurality of sound generating means carried by the baille board, for projecting sound waves into the open ends of the ipes, an

open-topped liquid container positioned below the lower ends of the pipes for spreading the sound waves projected thereon from the pipes.

14. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, a pipe board suspended within the casing, from the top thereof, sound reproducing means supported by the top of the casing, and open-ended pipes carried by the pipe board.

15. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, a pipe board suspended within the casing, from the top thereof, sound reproducing means supported by the top of the casing, open-ended pipes carried by the pipe board, and an open-topped liquid container mounted below the pipes, for receiving sound waves leaving the lower ends v ofthe pipes.

16. A sound resonating device lcomprising in combination a casing, a pipe board suspended within the casing, from the top thereof, sound reproducing means mounted above the top of the casing, open-ended pipes carried by the pipe board, and an open-topped liquid container mounted below the pipes, for receiving sound waves leaving the lower ends of the pipes.

17. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, open-ended pipes within the casing, sound reproducing means for projecting sound waves into the pipes, the top of the casing being provided with openings for free circulation of air.

18. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, a pipe board suspended within the casing, from the top thereof, sound reproducing means supported by the top ofthe casing, open-ended pipes carried by the pipe board, an open-topped liquid container mounted below the pipes, for receiving sound waves leaving the lower ends of the pipes, the top of the casing being provided with openings for the free circulation of air.

19. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, pipe carrying means, comprising a plurality of groups of openended pipes, grouped into units, each unit being mounted separatelyfrom the other units, and sound reproducing means for projecting sound waves into the open ends of the pipes.

20. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, pipe carrying means, comprising a plurality of groups of openended pipes, grouped into units, each unit being composed of pipes varying in length so as to have a range of substantially one octave, each unit being mounted separately from the other units, and sound reproducing means for projecting sound waves into the open ends of the pipes.

21. A sound resonating device comprising ended pipes, grouped into units, each unit .being mounted se arately from the other units, sound repro ueing means for projecting sound waves into the open ends of the pipes, and means positioned below the lower ends of the pipes for spreading the downwardly-travelling sound waves emanating from the lower ends of the pipes.

22. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, pipe carrying means, comprising a plurality of groups of openended pipes, grouped into units,each unit being mounted separately from the other units, sound reproducing means for projecting sound waves into the open ends of the pipes, and an open-topped liquid container positioned below the lower ends of the pipes for spreading the sound waves projected thereon from the pipes.

23. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, a baiie board, pipe carrying means, comprising a plurality of groups of open-ended pipes, grouped into units, the units being independently mounted, and sound reproducing means carried by the baille board for projecting the sound waves into the ends of the pipes.

24. A sound resonating device comprising in combination a casing, a baile board, pipe carrying means, comprising a plurality of groups of open-ended pipes, grouped into units, the units being independently mounted, sound reproducing means carried by the baille board for projecting the sound waves into the ends of the pipes, and an open-topped liquid container positioned below the lower ends of the pipes for spreading the sound waves projected thereon from the pipes.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

CHRISTIAN VOLF, Jn. 

